By Ed and Kathy Green
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
This Christmas season has been full of joy and special celebrations for our family, including the wedding of our granddaughter, our own 51st wedding anniversary and our oldest daughter's 49th birthday (born on the same day!), and a 50th birthday celebration. In the midst of so much planning and activity, some of our usual holiday traditions were put aside this year to make room for the making of new memories. Even one of our family's most meaningful Christmas Day traditions was nearly forgotten in all the busyness and excitement!
Thank goodness one 17-year-old grandson pulled us all back to our proper focus and direction.
One Christmas Day some years ago, our granddaughter was playing with a toy nativity set during our family gathering. Adults were chattering away in a room nearby when the frantic toddler cried out with distress (as only a toddler can do): "Baby Jesus is lost!" She completely hushed the room, and a search ensued immediately. The baby, quickly found and put safely back in his crib, brought the toddler comfort and everyone else breathed a sigh of relief.
Year after year since then, we have repeated this story by hiding the Baby Jesus from our traditional creche and sending grandchildren on a search to bring him safely back to his crib. Once there, we would all sing Happy Birthday and commence to exchange our gifts. As our grandchildren have grown older, they have continued to delight in the tradition. However, this year sent us a bit off track. A little exhausted and out of sync with our regular holiday routines, Baby Jesus was lost once again, and the empty crib almost went unnoticed.
As we began to unwrap our presents, one grandson took note of the misstep: "Don't we need to find Baby Jesus, first?" Again, a hush, presents were dropped, and a happy search was on! This year, he was found in the arms of an angel by our 19-year-old grandson who has been suffering from a concussion all semester due to a college basketball accident.
This year's finding of Baby Jesus has left us with a new, more profound, memory. Those who have searched for and found the infant Jesus (including every grandchild throughout the years) are touched by a subtle grace and internal knowledge. While Jesus can sometimes feel lost to us for a while, he can always be found again at unlikely times and in unlikely places, but especially within the heart of a loving, faith-filled family. In that secure place, the peace, comfort, and joy that is Christ will be found for all those who have gone searching and come home.
Throughout the year ahead, may your family always be the welcoming place, the comfortable crib, where Jesus can be found resting peacefully and waiting to be found.
Ed and Kathy are the Founders of Homeschoolers of Maine and currently serve on the HOME Board of Directors.